HR90: HR90 Several churches for their work with Project Elevation; commend

25 LC 112 2681 House Resolution 90 By: Representatives Greene of the 154th, Yearta of the 152nd, Cheokas of the 151st, Taylor of the 173rd, and Campbell of the 171st A RESOLUTION Commending several churches for their work with Project Elevation; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, Project Elevation is a faith-based community-driven he alth promotion and2 prevention program that serves the health care needs of rural c ommunities in Southwest3 Georgia; and4 WHERE A S , a c o m m u n i t y h e a l t h w o r k e r i s a c o m m u n i t y - b a s e d f r o n t line public health5 worker who is a trusted member, or has an unusually close understanding, of the community6 served who builds relationships and capacity for health and well-being in underserved areas;7 and8 WHEREAS, this trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison, link, or9 intermediary between health and social services and the communi ty, facilitate access to10 services, improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery, build individual11 and community capacity, and increase health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range12 of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and13 advocacy; and14 H. R. 90 - 1 - 25 LC 112 2681 WHEREAS, community health workers are a cross-sector workforce that connects15 community members to health care and other social services, reducing barriers to health and16 well-being; and17 WHEREAS, Project Elevation has met the goals of improving healt h literacy, giving18 participants the power to take their health care decisions into their own hands and make19 informed decisions, assisting in navigating health care, and working to provide meaningful20 community-based participatory research; and21 WHEREAS, Project Elevation trained and enlisted 100 community health workers (identified22 as Health Champions), using 25 local churches from seven counties throughout Southwest23 Georgia; and24 WHEREAS, the program conducts monthly sessions held at each of the 25 churches; and25 WHEREAS, Project Elevation has screened 945 men for prostate cancer since 2022; and 26 WHEREAS, these screenings have resulted in identifying 7 percent of the respondents with27 an elevated PSA of 4.0 or above as well as several individuals who were diagnosed with28 prostate cancer; and29 WHEREAS, Project Elevation also served as a conduit to connect 32 percent of the30 participants with an elevated PSA to a primary care physician who did not have a provider31 prior to the diagnosis; and32 H. R. 90 - 2 - 25 LC 112 2681 WHEREAS, the examination of these participants provided importa nt information on the33 Social Determinants of Health for the participants with an elev ated PSA, which helped34 address their risk factors; and35 WHEREAS, participants with an elevated PSA were also screened for colorectal and lung36 cancers; and 37 WHEREAS, Project Elevation has been instrumental in saving lives and having a positive38 impact on the health outcomes of men in its community; and 39 WHEREAS, Project Elevation provides health information, fresh fruits and vegetables from40 local community gardens, a large hen, and grooming services to each participant; and41 42 WHEREAS, Project Elevation was highlighted at the 2023 Georgia Cancer Summit.43 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that44 the members of this body commend Mt. Zion Baptist Church and its senior pastor, Rev. Dr.45 Pastor Daniel Simmons, for their vision to improve health statu s and health outcomes,46 advance efforts in health education, and promote health participation for men in Southwest47 Georgia.48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body recognize the Albany49 Coalition of Churches, which includes faith houses in Dougherty, Mitchell, Sumter, Terrell,50 and Calhoun counties; Phoebe Putney Health Systems and its pres ident and CEO, Scott51 Steiner, for their strong community support in providing clinical services; and the Morehouse52 H. R. 90 - 3 - 25 LC 112 2681 School of Medicine for its ongoing efforts to train community health workers in the Albany53 community.54 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body honor the Samaritan Clinic55 for serving as a catchment clinic for those unable to secure se rvices, Albany Cares for56 providing meals and other essential support to community members, and Grooming Gods for57 their commitment to offering grooming services as part of compr ehensive health and58 wellness support for men participating in Project Elevation.59 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized60 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the61 public and the press.62 H. R. 90 - 4 -